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Synonyms

under a cloud

Idioms  

  1. Under suspicion, in trouble, or out of favor, as in Ever since his brother was accused of fraud, he's been under a cloud. This metaphoric expression calls up the image of a single black cloud hanging over an individual. [c. 1500]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

We should have a better idea in a few weeks if the industry will regain favor—or remain under a cloud.

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

They left under a cloud — each one a scandal for at least one news cycle.

From Salon • Apr. 23, 2026

But after two seasons with the Gophers, he left the program under a cloud.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026

Tricolor Holdings filed for bankruptcy in September, coming under a cloud of suspicion about its business practices and sparking fears of a domino effect on banks.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 17, 2025

Amidst the polar night, our only sun had slipped under a cloud.

From "Between Shades of Gray" by Ruta Sepetys

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.